South Bay Leader

• Seasonal depression often begins in late fall and intensifies throughout the winter months.
• Depression is one of the many common side effects of sinusitis, often due to other symptoms such as poor sleep and loss of taste or smell. 
• Treating sinusitis can effectively alleviate the associated depressive symptoms.

As the seasons change and seasonal depression becomes more prevalent, it's important to recognize that one potential side effect of sinusitis is depression. According to Dr. Farhad Sigari of Del Rey MD, depression and sinusitis often go hand-in-hand.  

“The connection between sinus issues and mood disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, is a significant one,” Dr. Sigari told the South Bay Leader. “Studies have consistently shown that there is a link between chronic nasal obstruction or sinusitis and mood disorders. It's a multifaceted relationship with several key factors at play.”

According to Physician’s Weekly, studies have found that people with chronic sinusitis could also be more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. A study comparing 16,224 individuals treated for chronic sinusitis with 32,448 similar individuals without sinus issues revealed significant findings over an 11-year period. The research showed that those suffering from chronic sinusitis were more than 50% more likely to develop depression or anxiety compared to their counterparts without sinus problems. 

A report from Houston Advanced Nose and Sinus found that as many as 25% of people with chronic sinusitis also experience depression, along with more familiar sinus infection symptoms such as headaches, facial pain, a cough, and nasal discharge. Depression resulting from chronic sinusitis can be effectively treated by addressing the underlying sinus infection. Treatment options may include medication or surgical interventions such as balloon sinuplasty, which can help alleviate the symptoms of sinusitis and, in turn, reduce associated depressive symptoms.

Each year, approximately ten million Americans experience seasonal depression, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to a report from Boston University, symptoms of SAD can include sadness, sluggishness, and changes in weight. SAD typically occurs during the winter, when days are shorter and there is less sunlight than at other times of the year. Treatments for SAD can include light therapy or traditional treatments such as antidepressants.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) increases with age and is relatively rare in individuals under 20. The disorder also disproportionately affects women compared to men. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough mental health examination and a review of the patient's health history.

According to Del Rey MD's website, Dr. Farhad Sigari earned his bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of California, San Diego, where he researched heart disease. He then attended Chicago Medical School, obtaining degrees in medicine, applied physiology, and pathology, and receiving accolades such as the Dean's Award and the Alpha Omega Alpha Award. Dr. Sigari completed his surgical internship, specializing in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, at the University of Chicago Hospital.